For the 5th year in a row, people across this great province are learning that simple the simple act of recycling their old tires can have a life-changing impact. Each year, Ontario communities are coming together to support the Sunshine Foundation of Canada through the OARA Tire Take Back event.
The Sunshine Foundation is an amazing organization that since 1987 has made dreams come true for 7,000 children with severe disabilities or life-threatening illnesses. They brighten the lives of these children by helping them experience the carefree joy of just being a kid, and confirming that they can achieve something special in their lives.
One of Sunshine’s flagship activities is their DreamLift adventure, which transports about 80 children by plane to an exciting destination like a Disney theme park for a day of fun, adventure, and independence.
Many children have benefitted from the DreamLift and individual dreams through the Sunshine Foundation. Click each story below to read about dreams that have been made a reality for some of the Sunshine children.
Anisa Finds a New Friend – Peterborough, Ontario
Anisa is seven years old and lives with MPS1, a rare genetic condition that requires weekly medical treatments to manage her condition. She went on the Toronto DreamLift in June.
Anisa’s DreamLift was filled with ice cream breakfasts, roller coasters and plane rides. One of the best parts of the trip happened before the plane left the ground. She met Maia, another seven year old, who she was partnered with for the day. Between dancing at the airport and dancing at Disney, Anisa made memories she will always take with her and a friend for life.
According to Anisa’s mom, “smiles are bigger, confidence is stronger and hugs are tighter.”
Justin’s Rocky Mountain Adventure – Ingersoll, Ontario
Six-year-old Justin lives with neurofibromatosis — a condition that causes the growth of non-cancerous tumors on nerve tissue. Justin had an amazing dream to camp in the Rocky Mountains in Alberta with his family.
Liz, Justin’s mother, recalls the joy she felt seeing her son so full of life, walking and exploring on his own. “[It was] amazing, since he almost lost the use of his legs last year.”
Justin reached the top of Sulphur Mountain in Banff and spent time with extended family living in Alberta.
Justin’s mother says that they returned to Ingersoll with positive memories, big smiles and a “very happy, special little guy.”
Racing to the Paralympics – Oakville, Ontario
Austin is currently a member of Athletic Canada and with his custom chair he has won four Gold medals and set a new Canadian record in the 800 meter race at the Canadian National Championships in Moncton, New Brunswick.
These achievements put him on the path to compete in the Swiss Series races, Desert Challenge in Arizona, the Canada Games in Sherbrooke, Quebec and the World Championships in Lyon, France. Austin is in training for his next dream — competing in the Rio 2016 Paralympic Games.
“Thanks to the Sunshine Foundation Dream and as a member of Team Canada, I was able to compete in the 2013 athletic track season races in a custom-made world class racing chair!”
Colin’s Custom Bicycle – Thunder Bay, Ontario
When Colin was eleven he wrote into Sunshine saying “My dream is to have a Freedom bike, so I can feel safe and bike with my dad.” Colin, who lives with cerebral palsy, sometimes experiences body spasms so it was unsafe for him to use a regular bike. “The day Colin received his bike from Sunshine he was just smiling from ear to ear. He really did have the biggest smile on his face,” remembers his mom, Mandy.
Colin is now a teenager and walking around the halls of his high school. “The bike gave him physical strength. It really helped strengthen his legs and built his confidence. Kids his own age started coming up to him saying how cool his bike was. Receiving his dream helped bring him out of his shell.”
Rohan’s DreamLift – Toronto, Ontario
When Sunshine Volunteer Ash asked his 10-year-old son Rohan, who lives with cerebral palsy, about his experience on Sunshine’s Toronto DreamLift, he was surprised to hear that one of his son’s most prominent memories was buying lunch. “He was proud that he handled his lunch himself,” laughed Ash.
Rohan, along with over 70 Sunshine Kids from the GTA, went on the DreamLift, sponsored by OARA, in June 2013, accompanied by medically trained volunteers.
“It made a huge difference in our lives that I never expected,” said Ash. “Rohan has realized a lot of things he can do. All of these things we thought would never happen, we are now positive that they can.” “I think [my parents] felt really proud of me,” said Rohan.
Singing Out Loud – Amherstburg, Ontario
For 16-year-old Megan, who lives with spastic cerebral palsy and paraplegia, meeting Taylor Swift was more than a chance to meet a favourite singer and celebrity – it was an opportunity to talk with an idol whose character and values she truly admires.
Sunshine arranged for Megan to go backstage to meet her favourite singer. As Megan had expected, Taylor Swift was kind-hearted. “She made her feel special,” said Angela, Megan’s mom. “This filled Megan and us with gratitude,” said Angela.
Since coming home from her dream, Megan has shared her experience which has helped her to overcome her shyness. “Meeting Taylor has helped her come out of her shell,” said Angela. “It will always live on as [a] fantastic adventure that Megan can revisit any time she wishes.”
These are the stories of just a few of the thousands of children the Sunshine Foundation has supported over the last 27 years. Generous donations and community participation is what makes this all possible.
Wondering how you can help? During our OARA Tire Take Back, bring your old tires to a participating OARA location. The recycling fees the locations normally collect from OTS for collecting these tires will be donated to the Sunshine Foundation.
For more information about the Sunshine Foundation of Canada, visit their website
